Chapter 7

Always

V carefully led Evey down the stairs and into the main room of the second gallery, raising the light wattage on the nearby wall panel.

" You know," Evey began, hugging his arm tightly, " you really need a name for here. We have the Shadow Gallery..."

" I am open for suggestions, my love." He grinned at her, his blue eyes sparkling.

" Hmmmmm..." Evey laid a finger along side her chin, pretending to be in deep thought. " It should have a name with meaning. Something special, above all else--something that could not be forgotten..."

V's head tilted toward her, giving her his full attention.

" I think it should be called the Freedom Gallery."

V looked at her, his heart bursting with pride at the name she had chosen. " You never cease to amaze me. After all these years, it still remains locked within you." He paused, taking he hand. " Freedom Gallery, it shall be."

Evey slid her arms around his neck. " You said you had a gift for me?" she giggled.

" Actually, I have several." V answered as her fingers disappeared into the hair laying on the collar of his black jacket.

" V?" He could feel her fingers gently touching his neck. " Can I ask you a couple personal questions?"

He hesitated a moment--Evey's questions were always ones that required careful consideration. " Yes?"

" Where'd the hair come from?" She hurried on quickly. " I know it's not a wig, but you..." she lowered her eyes in embarrassment, then raised them to his quietly, " You were bald." She whispered.

V couldn't help but laugh. " It's called a hair transplant." He whispered back to her.

"Oh." Evey said quietly. " I like it."

" I'm pleased you approve." He caught her lips unexpectedly in a long, gentle kiss.

" There is one room that you have not seen yet." He husked into her neck softly.

" What's that?" She answered closing her eyes as a flood of warmth rushed over her.

" My bedroom." He replied, smiling into amber eyes, banked with fire. " But first, my gifts."

" V..." she wined, touching his face-- she couldn't stop touching his face! It was so wonderful.

He took her hand and led her into a room off the closest hallway. The door opened into a large alcove that was shaded in shadows. " Stay here." V left her momentarily as he found the switch to one of the bedside lamps. The room had been made into an extra bedroom. Three bookcases lines one wall, full of various hardback and soft back literature. A large chest of drawers sat along side a small bed, an armoire, opposite it.

Evey walked to the bookcases and began scanning the covers. " 1984, Andromeda Strain, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory...my god V, I never knew you had these!"

She exclaimed, " These were the most wanted books on Sutler's objectionable materials list. However, did you get them? Have you had them all along?"

V clasped his hands by his waist, and smiled at the expression that covered Evey's face.

" These and more."

" V, " she began, " these belong in the museum."

V looked at her. " Please Evey, let me keep something here, from my old life."

Evey's expression changed. " I am so sorry... I just forgot myself."

" It doesn't matter," V answered. " I'm quite sure we can find some --let's say-- more interesting books than these, down here."

Evey smiled at him. " I do love you so."

" I know...now, " his hands came alive as he walked to the closet. Reaching inside, he removed a large box covered in dust from the top shelf and laid it carefully on the bed, then stepped back.

Evey eyes the box. " Haven't cleaned in here for awhile, huh?" She blew on the box top, sending dust flying throughout the room.

" Not in several years..." V replied, watching her as she lifted the top, and pulled back some off-white wrapping tissue. Tucked inside, in a protective cover of plastic was a piece of pale blue clothing. Gently, she picked the bag up, letting it unfold itself. " V, it's beautiful..."

she breathed, lying the gown on the bed gently. " Why do you have this?"

He was quiet for a moment, then answered. " It was to be your wedding gown, Evey."

" What?" She stopped, looking up at him. " My wedding gown?"

V nodded his head. " You see, several months prior to that November, I realized that I had fallen in love with you, Evey. I wanted to live that final night--I wanted to come back to you--" He began pacing the floor, something Evey knew was a habit, steaming from nervousness. " hell, I wanted it so bad that I took the breastplate from Mondego so I could have a better chance of surviving." He moved around the room, then turned back to Evey. " But fate was a cruel mistress , and I knew that the only way that you would be able to embrace this new world, was if I ceased to exist in the old one. "

Evey's eyes flashed. " So you staged your own death, just for me?"

V took her gently by the shoulders. " I did not stage my death...I know now that the wounds I received were so serious that my body shut down, putting me into a coma- like state. I awoke only minutes before the last station." He paused, letting her digest what he had told her. " I somehow made my way back here, and recovered. The gown was put away because I could not let you go completely. After that, I left London, venturing back twice a year. Once to check on the resources I had left with my barrister for you, and on November 4th. "

Evey watched him, her heart breaking for what he was putting himself through. " But why the 4th? I don't understand..."

" To look for you, Evey. Just to catch a glimpse ..." He searched her face, hoping she understood why he had left her alone. " Over all those years, I never saw you, until..."

" This year at the square." She answered for him

" Yes."

She picked the gown up, still in the plastic and held it to herself. " You've had this for 10 years? It looks brand new."

" I treated the plastic with a preserving agent before packing it away." He answered, returning once again to the closet, then, handing her a large velvet box .

" Same preservative?" she asked giggling.

V nodded his head as he watched her raise the lid.

" Oh my god, " Evey breathed as she looked at the choker and matching earrings--the sapphires and diamonds sparkled brilliantly in the light. " They're beautiful, V. Did you find these too?"

" Some could say that." He smiled, " Although, I would say that the late chancellor would disagree. They were earmarked for his mistress, as were the gown and shoes."

" You have shoes too?" she asked unbelievingly. V motioned to a smaller box beside the gown.

" I wanted the best for my wife." He replied, walking toward the door. " Please try the dress on, I need to know if any alterations will be needed. " He paused at the doorway, looking at her, then disappeared into the hallway.

Evey unzipped the gown from the wardrobe bag, placing it on the bed, then quickly removed her clothing. The silk felt exquisite as it slid over her body, and Evey was overjoyed when she found it to fit perfectly. She took the satin shoes and slid them on, and the final touch was added, the choker and earrings. Evey left the bedroom, walking to the main room, she found him standing by the second Wurlitzer, looking at song lists.

" V?" she whispered softly as Ella Fitzgerald filled the room.

V turned to find the epitome of a Greek goddess standing before him, while Evey found her vigilante standing before her. " You are more than beautiful..." He breathed through the mask, his head tilted slightly to the right, drinking in all her beauty. He approached her, dropping onto one knee. Reaching into his jacket pocket, he withdrew a small box in gloved hand. " My bounty is as deep as the sea, my love as deep; the more I give to thee. For more I have, for both are infinate. (1) He reached the box toward her, " Marry me, Evey--if you will still have this humble vaudevillian actor..."

Tears streamed down her face as she nodded her head, and V slipped the sapphire on the ring finger where it should have been ten years ago. Evey waited till he rose, and then threw herself into the black-clad arms and cried.

" I love you, V..." she cried into his jacket, " I never stopped."

V held her tight, the mask lying gently on the top of her head.

" Mom? Dad?" Victoria"s voice called. " Are you down here?"

" We're here , Victoria." V answered.

Victoria bounded down the stairs coming to a dead stop before her parents, her mouth open, as she took in the scene before her--Evey being held tightly in her vigilante's strong arms, dressed in a pale blue evening gown, a dazzle of jewels at her neck.

" Wow...did I interrupt something?" Victoria asked.

" No, I was just trying on a gown your father got for me sometime ago that I never had a chance to wear. I'm wearing it to the museum tomorrow night." Evey smiled at her daughter, " It still fits."

" Mum, you look beautiful, and Dad, ..." Victoria paused, " you look...just...V!"

He bowed deeply to her after releasing her mother from his arms. " My humble thanks, Miss Victoria."

Victoria giggled, " All eyes will be on you both tomorrow night." She pushed her way between them and hugged them both, one arm around each waist. " Oh, I almost forgot, " she looked up, " Uncle Eric just called, he's on his way over with Uncle Dom--something to do with the final plans for tomorrow night."

V looked at Evey. " Uncle Dom?"

" Dominic Stone." Evey replied, " You remember him, V. The nice police officer I maced at Jordan Tower."

" Oh yes. " V answered, " The officer I knock cold after he hit you with his police revolver."

Victoria looked at them both. " You two are lethal together."

" Your father has always been lethal." She smiled at V. " He took out three of Creedy's men in a matter of seconds to save my life the night we met."

" That's the night you asked if he was a crazy person, right?"

V laughed, " She probably called me worse than that after I delivered her safely to her flat once...how should I word this, " he paused, looking at Evey, " once our celebration

was over."

" Celebration? " Evey laughed softly, " You blew up Madame Justice and took out three blocks!"

" Ah," V sighed, " the good old days..."

Victoria giggled, " I'm going back upstairs to wait for Uncle Eric. You coming?"

" In a minute or two." V answered Victoria with a sly smile.

" You can go up with Victoria, I just need to change my clothes and hand the dress up."

Evey stated as she tried to unzip the gown.

" I'll be upstairs." Victoria grinned before disappearing up the spiral staircase.

" I could help, you know."

Evey eyes her beau. " Can you unzip me?" She turned her back to him.

" I assume you will need my help tomorrow night?" V asked, noticing that the zipper had only zipped half-way.

" Well, I can't zip it all the way up, now can I?" Evey answered as she held the gown to her her. " Go on, I'll be right up."

V sighed as he pulled his gloved fingers from the bare back he had been caressing gently, and ascended the steps toward the Shadow Gallery.

" Men." Evey couldn't help but giggle as she removed the gown.

--

Eric Finch waited outside the gallery door until the security system blinked green.

" So this friend of Evey's is going to be escorting her tomorrow night--and, " Dominic paused, looking at his superior and friend, " you're ok with this?" Something wasn't right with this scenario. Finch had been looking forward to the opening all week long--like a father who would be escorting his daughter to her wedding, and now, he was ok with another man escorting Evey? No, something was definitely wrong. They stepped into the main room

of the gallery, the door closing behind them.

" Yes, Dom. I'm fine with it." Finch looked at his partner as Victoria tore into the room.

" Uncle Eric! Uncle Dom!" She hugged each in turn.

" Good evening, Inspector." V greeted casually strolling in from the kitchen.

" What the hell!?" Dominic's gun was in his hand in a matter of seconds, pointed directly at V's chest.

" I assure you, Lieutenant," V raised his arms over his head, " Ia am not armed as you can see."

'" Dom, put it away..." Finch cautioned, he had seen what V was capable of more than once.

" Uncle Dom, please. My father won't hurt you." Fear shone in Victoria's eyes as she hurried to V's side, her arms wrapping around his waist while his arms lowered to her.

" Dom..." Finch began again.

" Eric, we've been looking for this terrorist for over ten years, and you just want to turn your back on him?!"

Finch placed his hand on the barrel of Dominic's pistol and slowly pushed it down. " V's dead, Dominic, he died ten years ago." He looked at his partner. " This is Mr. King, Evey's friend."

Dominic watched as the man reached up and removed the mask and wig.

" There, that's better. I've never been almost shot over wearing a costume." " V extended a hand to Dominic." Samuel King. A pleasure to make your acquaintance."

Dominic replaced his gun in the holster, and shook the offered hand.

" I'm sorry if I startled you, but I was just trying the costume on for the party tomorrow night. Evey thought that it would be interesting if I escorted her as the freedom fighter." V paused, studying Stone. " You know how the ladies are when they have their mind set on something."

" So, " Dominic began, " You're Victoria's father.

" Yes."

" Evey told us that you had left before she told you about the pregnancy."

" Unfortunately, yes."

Dominic glared at him. " Seems you would have tried to make contact before now."

V's blood began to slowly simmer. He didn't like the direction this conversation was headed.

" Dominic, " Evey's voice broke the tension. " I told you before that Samuel's business takes him all over the world for months, sometimes years at a time. I've been in contact with him constantly since Victoria's birth." She locked eyes with him. ' god, I hope he's buying this...' " As a matter of fact, Samuel just asked me to marry him, and I accepted." She held the ring out for all to see as Victoria's eyes widened.

" Congratulations are in order then?" Stone spoke slowly, biting each word. Something was definitely wrong here--what Finch had told him, and now this, Dominic's instincts as a cop were telling him that someone was lying, and he had a good idea who it was. If Samuel King was really the terrorist known as V, and he tried to bring him down now, he'd be dead before he cocked his gun. He remembered the incident at Jordan Tower still... Stone sighed, looking at the terrorist standing beside his lady and daughter. " Congratulations, and I sorry... I guess I over- reacted." He apologized, locking eyes with V. 'I'll be watching V, and if you fuck up once, I'll be there.'

Finch looked at Evey, smiling tenderly, " I hope you and Victoria will be happy, my dear."

" Thank you Eric, we already are." She hugged V, looking into his eyes.

" And Mr. King, "

" Yes, Inspector?" V looked at him.

" I'm sorry you will not be able to keep your appointment tomorrow--I did receive the e-mail with the information I requested."

" I am sorry also, Inspector. I was looking forward to meeting with you. As for the information, Chief inspector, you are more than welcome. If I can be of further assistance, please let me know."

" Thank you. " Finch replied. " I've brought the security grids for tomorrow night." He paused laying the museum plans atop the piano." I've assigned ten extra guards for the exhibit.

If any of Norsefire's cells try anything, we'll be ready for them."

Evey watched as a large yawn erupted from Victoria's mouth. " Go get ready for bed, love. It's late."

" Ok, Mum." She yawned again, slowly. " Good night, Uncle Eric, Uncle Dom." She hugged them both, then her mother.

" Enjoy the honey-heavy dew of slumber. Thou hast no figures or fantasies; therefore thou sleep'st so sound."(1) V spoke softly as he laid a gloved hand on Victoria's head. " Good night, my loved one."

Dominic watched as she disappeared down the hallway, then turned to Evey as Finch and V began discussing the guards positions throughout the museum. " Can I talk to you?."

Evey walked with him a short distance away. " I don't know what's going on Evey, but I do know that is V--not Samuel King, or whoever he calls himself--I'd bet my life on it. I don't know why Eric is turning a blind eye to this whole thing--I don't care that it has been years--he's still a terrorist that's wanted by the government for murder. If he makes one wrong move, Evey, I'll take him down--I don't care..." He paused, " It's my job."

Evey looked at him. " Then you will be signing our death warrants, Dominic. He's come back to help the government remove the last of Norsefire's hold on us. He's after the rebel cells. Please, don't do anything you may regret" She turned to leave, then looked back at the young man she admired so much. " Don't take Victoria's father from her. Everything he told you is true. He has a new identity now--a new life. Don't take that from us..." Her eyes burned into his, " If you did, I'd never forgive you."

He watched as she walked away, a fierceless pride in her. V was back--she had just admitted that to him--not to takes down the government as before, but to keep it from collapsing. The future of England rested in his hands--but, could he make the right decision?

(1) William Shakespeare--Julius Caesar